the chocolate tree

great for vegan chocoholics and other sweet tooths alike. place is warm and cosy, but quite small, and very limited seating. the hazelnut hot chocolate is like a warm liquid nutella dream in a mug. the mayan hot chocolate is definitely an acquired taste. the chocolate sorbet will have you double-taking, because it is creamy even for full fat dairy ice cream, and absolutely delicious. best of all, tasters.

the coffees and cakes were recommended to me, so i thought i'd check this place out on a whim. i was utterly delighted to find that they stock a huge range if vegan friendly chocolates, cakes and hot chocolate drinks.
treated myself to one of their new festival vegan apple and cinnamon hot chocolate. it couldn't have been more perfect, great taste without being too sickly.
the only reason i didn't rate 5 is that although the team were more than pleasant (and helpful), i'm an stickler for great service and pleasant was all it was.

the chocolate tree had a very welcome atmosphere and its decor was instantly warming, the white chocolate hot chocolate was a favourite along with their sugary churros. the staff were pleasant and the food was good although i feel the use of space within the cafe wasn't used wisely because there were very very limited seats.

the chocolate tree is a chocolate lovers paradise! along with ethically sourced, organic chocolate bars, they also have a small café with artisanal chocolates, cakes and pastries, ice cream, a range of other sweet treats, and hot chocolate. 

i tried the dark chocolate hot chocolate - which was rich and flavourful - and the chocolate shot with churros for dipping! the chocolate shot is divine - it's a cup of pure, melted, rich and creamy craft chocolate.

such a gem, this place! genuinely for lovers of real, rich chocolate. know that bitterish, enchanting taste of real swiss dark chocolate? yup. hot chocolate from here with cream and marshmallows, cake, a couple of macarons, gelato and rich chocolate to take home and you know you're done with a trip to paradise...with churros.

being a chocoholic myself, the chocolate tree is like paradise. from amazing cups of hot chocolate to yummy ice creams, chocolates or all sorts of cakes, this place is so so tempting that i can't help buying (and eating) stuff whenever i am in the area. perfect spot in winter for a warm and sweet drink in a cool environment.

hand carved chocolate gem of bruntsfield. i often go here on cold days for a cup of happiness.

an astounding choice of artisan hot chocolates, ice creams and chocolate gifts. try the salted caramel and weep with joy.

my latest obsession is their chai hot chocolate. but i have yet to go wrong with anything i've ordered from there.

and i still love the fact it was recommended to me by a very civilised and knowledgeable eight year old.

in a bizarre moment which shaped my future career as a sports journalist (still desperately seeking a staff job though) i visited the chocolate tree, an independent coffee shop plonked directly over the road from the conglomerate beasts of costa coffee. i had coffee and a chat with none other than paddy ashdown - a patriarchal figure of british politics.

he advised me to do what i loved, and not what i thought had the better prospects for financial gain. so thanks paddy, i now slave away at some pretty unspectacular places like cowdenbeath (sorry fifers), airdrie (sorry people of lanarkshire) and peterhead (sorry folk in the north-east of aberdeenshire) - but his advice was good and only bettered by the coffee served in the store.

visiting on numerous occasions afterwards, i can confirm that the coffee was great and the cake and chocolate selections are brilliant too. the staff are all very knowledgeable on the type of coffee bean you are getting, including the difference in the flavour profiles.

with a fantastic location in a busy residential street and within walking distance of the bruntsfield links public park, the cafe can be packed to the rafters, but ultimately, it is worth the wait for their delectable coffee and saccharine sweet or elegantly bitter tidbits.

a delightful little sweet shop which serves decent coffee and delicious desserts. tried their orange chocolate cake which was rich&decadent. during our visit, we were also given some free gelato, chocolate coconut. and i can see how they've been winning awards for their ice cream. definately recommended, for a quick coffee&dessert or for a late night snack. :)